Mpix and Mixbook both make good photo books, but they suit different people. Mpix started as a photo lab, so it sells a short menu of well-made books. Mixbook is a design site with a big editor, hundreds of themes, and a sale almost every week.

This guide compares price, paper, editor, page limits, and shipping. You get a plain verdict first. We also cover one option for people whose photos already live on Facebook, Instagram, or Dropbox.

Mpix vs Mixbook: the short verdict

• Pick Mpix if you want layflat pages on every main book, a choice of paper, and a lab-style finish with a short, simple menu.
• Pick Mixbook if you want to design every page, use themes, invite family to add photos, or print a thick book of up to 399 pages.
• Pick neither if the real job is turning a year of social posts into a book without hours of layout.

What to look for in a photo book service

• Real price after discounts -- list prices rarely match what you pay at checkout.
• Page limits -- a 20-page base book is thin for a family year.
• Binding and paper -- layflat shows spreads cleanly, but it often costs more.
• Photo source -- are your photos on your phone, or already posted on Facebook and Instagram?
• Time you'll spend -- hand layout takes hours. Auto layout takes minutes.

Price

Mpix publishes clear starting prices. Its premium softcover starts at $26.99, and its premium hardcover starts at $44.99. Both are layflat. Mpix's sale page showed no banner when we checked, so expect to pay close to list unless a sale is running.

Mixbook doesn't show a US starting price on the pages we could read. Its price depends on cover, paper, size, and page count, so you only see the real number in the editor. What we can say is that Mixbook runs steep sales. On November 2, 2026, its site advertised 45% to 55% off almost everything for an early Black Friday event, ending that day. Its promos often exclude some items, such as softcovers, so read the terms.

Our take: Mixbook is usually the cheaper cart once a code applies. Mpix is easier to price, because the number you see is close to the number you pay.

Paper, binding, and print quality

Mpix puts layflat into both premium lines. The hardcover offers four papers: semi-gloss, glossy, matte book stock, and deep matte. Covers are linen in several colors, with optional debossing in black, white, silver, or gold, and a skinny dust jacket. The softcover uses matte book stock only.

Mixbook sells softcover, hardcover, layflat, and album books. Layflat pages need a higher price tier and shorter books. Papers are semi-gloss, matte, and lustre. Softcovers use semi-gloss. Mixbook's own page calls lustre archival quality. Mpix has the edge if you want one reliable lab finish. Mixbook has more book types to pick from.

Editor and design time

Mixbook wins on tools. Mixbook Studio has drag-and-drop pages and spreads, auto-layout, hundreds of themes, stickers, borders, and photo search and sorting. You can add collaborators who edit, view, or order their own copies. They need a Mixbook account. Its Story Mode, which starts a book with a chat, is only in the Mixbook app.

Mpix keeps things simpler. You get an online builder and an app, with captions and quick layouts. There are fewer themes and less decoration. If you want a clean page where the photo does the work, that's a plus. If you want scrapbook styling, it's a limit.

Sizes and page limits

Mixbook covers more ground. Sizes run from 6x6 to 14x11 inches. Softcover and hardcover books go up to about 399 pages. Layflat books stay under 100 pages, and albums stop at 90.

Mpix hardcovers come in 5x5, 8x8, 10x10, 12x12, 8.5x11, and 11x8.5. Softcovers add 6x4 and 9x6. Both lines run from 20 to 100 pages, added two at a time. For a thick family year, Mixbook is the better fit.

Shipping

Mpix says books ship in 1 to 2 business days from the lab, then transit time depends on the method you pick. Standard shipping is free on orders of $45 or more. Mixbook's page we checked gave no shipping costs or timing. It says orders ship through a network of local printers. Check the cart for a date, and order early for gifts.

Mpix vs Mixbook: which one should you pick?

• Layflat as the default: Mpix. Both premium lines have it.
• Lowest cart total during a sale: Mixbook, if your book type is included in the code.
• Heavy design, themes, and group editing: Mixbook.
• A book over 100 pages: Mixbook, up to about 399 pages.
• A clean, simple heirloom book: Mpix.

Both ask you to upload and place photos yourself. If your pictures already sit on social media, that's the gap the next option fills.

If your photos already live on Facebook, Instagram, or Dropbox

My Social Book works differently. You connect your Facebook, Instagram (professional account), or Dropbox, and the service builds a full photo book automatically. Your content lands in chronological order, like a journal of the year, with the original dates, captions, likes, and locations. It's one source per book. If you want both, you make separate books from Facebook AND Instagram.

You preview every page before ordering. You can add or remove content, delete a post, and change the cover. You can't drag sections around like you can in Mixbook, and you can't rewrite captions. Books run from 25 to 500 pages, in hardcover or softcover, at 21 x 25 cm (about 8.3 x 9.8 inches). Pricing is affordable, with frequent discounts of 40% or more. Shipping is charged separately, and a PDF version is optional. Production takes 2 to 5 business days, then delivery takes 3 to 5 business days express or 7 to 14 standard in the US.

My Social Book has been in business for 12 years and has printed more than 700,000 books. It holds a Trustpilot TrustScore 4.7 / 5 (2,716 reviews, October 2026).

See your book in minutes -- start from Facebook, Instagram, or Dropbox

Mpix vs Mixbook vs My Social Book comparison table

Related photo book comparisons

• Mpix alternatives
• Mixbook alternatives
• Mpix vs Shutterfly
• Printique vs Mixbook
• Shutterfly vs Mixbook
• Best photo book from Instagram
• Make a book from Facebook

Frequently asked questions

Is Mpix or Mixbook cheaper?

Mixbook is usually cheaper once a code applies, because it runs deep sales often. Mpix lists clear prices, from $26.99 for a layflat softcover and $44.99 for a layflat hardcover. Compare final cart totals on the day you order.

Does Mpix or Mixbook have layflat books?

Both do. Mpix builds layflat into its premium softcover and hardcover. Mixbook sells layflat as its own book type, limited to under 100 pages.

Which has more pages, Mpix or Mixbook?

Mixbook. Its softcover and hardcover books go up to about 399 pages. Mpix premium books run from 20 to 100 pages, added two at a time.

Which is easier to use?

Mpix has fewer tools, so it's quicker to learn. Mixbook gives you more control but takes longer. Both need you to place photos yourself unless you accept an automatic layout.

Is there a faster way to make a book from social media?

Yes. My Social Book builds a book automatically from your Facebook, Instagram, or Dropbox, in chronological order with dates, captions, likes, and locations kept. You preview and edit before ordering, with no manual layout.

Facts about competitors checked on November 2, 2026. Prices and features change; confirm on each company's site before ordering.

Create your book from Facebook, Instagram, or Dropbox